Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Crabb.
Hi Kelly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I didn’t set out to become a suburban micro flower farmer…or a self-published author. Like a lot of good things in my life, it happened a little sideways.
I spent nearly twenty years as a photographer, so I’ve always been a vocational creative. When I married my husband and became a stepmom in my late thirties, I found myself spending more time outside while the boys played — pulling weeds, planting things, trying to make our yard feel like home. I had never gardened before and honestly had no idea what I was doing. That turned out to be part of the magic.
A few flowers in my landscaping beds turned into an 800-square-foot cut-flower garden the last few years. Along the way, I realized the garden was not simply a source of joy and peace in my life. It was also teaching me about failure, patience, grief, and having the courage to start something before you feel ready.
Those lessons ultimately turned into my first book, <i>Beyond the Bloom: Life Lessons from the Misadventures of a Beginner Gardener</i>, which launched last November. It’s part memoir, part pep talk, and while the story begins in the garden, it’s actually a book about growth — the messy, imperfect kind — and giving yourself permission to bravely pursue your own joy. I like to say it’s a book about flowers the way Ted Lasso is a show about soccer. You don’t have to love gardening to connect with it because at its core it’s really a story about courage, starting before you feel ready, and figuring things out as you go.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, mostly because I never actually set out to do any of this in the first place.
My photography career ended earlier than I expected because of some health issues, and that was a hard shift. When that chapter closed, I wasn’t entirely sure what came next. The garden showed up during that season as a much-needed creative outlet. It was something slower, quieter, and a lot less dependent on my body cooperating. I thought I was just planting a few flowers, but it turns out I was unintentionally starting a whole new chapter.
As far as the actual flower growing goes, there were a thousand mistakes. I killed more plants than I successfully grew. I kind of still do. I overwatered, underwatered, planted things in the wrong place, didn’t know how to spot disease or pests quickly enough, and learned very quickly that confidence and competence are not the same thing. Gardening is incredibly humbling. Turns out plants do not care about your personal level of enthusiasm.
Writing the book was a completely different kind of challenge. It ended up being the most creatively vulnerable thing I’ve ever done. While photography allowed me to stay safely behind the camera telling other people’s stories, writing required me to tell my own. There were plenty of moments where I thought, “This is a terrible idea.” I wondered if anyone would care about what I was writing or if I should just keep my stories to myself.
Both gardening and writing taught me the same thing: growth is oftentimes messy. The mistakes, the uncertainty, and the willingness to try anyway ended up being the whole point. None of it was smooth, but all of it was worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Over the years, people have often said to me, “You’re so brave.” I never would have used that word to describe myself. I realized, however, what they’re really noticing isn’t fearlessness — it’s simply a willingness to try. I tend to dive in and figure things out as I go, and that means I’ve failed plenty of times along the way. I’ve learned, however, that failure usually isn’t the thing that stops us. Fear is. A lot of my writing comes from wanting to help people loosen their grip on perfection, trust their own curiosity, and give themselves permission to pursue the quiet tugs on their hearts.
I think what people connect with most is that I don’t present myself as an expert. I’m very open about the mistakes, the uncertainty, and the learning curve — whether that’s killing plants, changing careers, or writing a first book without having any idea what I was doing. My goal isn’t to write from a place of having it all figured out, but to encourage people who are still in the middle of figuring it out themselves.
What I’m most proud of is creating something honest. Readers often tell me they picked up the book thinking it was about gardening and ended up seeing pieces of their own story in it. That means more to me than anything else.
What sets my work apart is probably that it lives at the intersection of humor and reflection. I take growth seriously, but not myself. If people walk away feeling encouraged to try something they’ve been putting off — or simply feeling more permission to value their own joy — then I’ve done what I hoped to do.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Because I’ve changed careers, written a book, and tried a lot of new things later in life, people often assume I’m naturally fearless. The truth is, I feel the fear very clearly — I just don’t let it make the final decision.
A lot of my work talks about bravery and growth, but most of that has come from learning how to move forward while feeling unsure, not in the absence of it. I still second-guess myself. I still wonder if I’m doing it right. I just try anyway.
I also think people are surprised by how ordinary my creative process is. Most of my ideas come from quiet moments like being in the garden, going for walks, or noticing small things a lot of people rush past. It’s not very glamorous, but it’s honest. I’ve learned that inspiration usually shows up when you slow down long enough to notice it.
On a completely less profound note, people are often surprised by how deeply committed I am to a few very specific things: I am unapologetically obsessed with Bon Jovi, and if there’s a bowl of jelly beans anywhere nearby, I will absolutely pick out all the black ones. Some habits are simply non-negotiable.
Pricing:
- My book is currently available locally at Monarch Book + Gifts in Stanley Station, Bel Fiore Co. in downtown Lee’s Summit, and Parkville Roasters. I am always hoping to find other bookstores and boutiques wanting to carry it. It’s also available on Amazon, or I’m happy to come visit your local book club as a guest and deliver signed copies by hand. Paperback copies are available for $15.99 – hardback on Amazon only for $22.99.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkellycrabb
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellyjacksoncrabb
- Other: https://a.co/d/031BbESf
